Called To Rock the Babies

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 (NIV)

Youngest son was born with an adventurous spirit and a loving heart. I take no credit for who he is, he is completely God breathed. A year ago, after the earthquake in Haiti, he was bound and determined to go. No relief organizations would take him even with a firefighter and EMT certificate. He was too young, only 18. He had about decided to fly to Dominican Republic, buy a motorcycle and slip over the border. He wanted to help. He was big and strong. Why couldn’t he go by himself to a foreign country and make his way until he found someone who needed him? Thankfully, my mother read about the Florida Baptist Children’s Home and their partnership with an orphanage in Haiti. They were planning a missions trip and yes, youngest son was welcome to come. Haiti changed his life even more than two pervious trips to minister on the Amazon River in Brazil. When he came home, I asked what they needed in that country so shaken by the earthquake. Do they need doctors, medicine, food, clothes, houses, water and medical supplies? “No,” he replied, “They just need moms to rock the babies.” My heart broke and I thought, I can rock babies. I vowed that the first opportunity I would do just that. The doors have been closed to short term missions in Haiti right now, but Florida Baptist Children’s Homes continue their work in Guatemala. On Saturday, my adopted daughter and I will join a group from our church to go to Guatemala to rock babies and build houses. Some are saying what great humanitarians we are to go. They praise us and speak admirably about the work we will do. There is no reason to label me a hero. I am giving one week. Seven days out of 365. The real heroes are the ones who have given their lives to serve. And I confess that I often lose my focus about the real meaning of this trip. I have fretted over silly things. I am not a “baby person.” I like children a lot, but only after they are old enough to talk, so I can reason with them, play games, and tell stories. While we rock those babies, we will feed them, and then, bath and diaper them. Not my cup of tea at all. And then, there’s the zip line tour. This woman who is afraid of standing on a step stool is going with a group who has signed up to take a zip line tour down the side of a volcano. The same woman who becomes paralyzed with fear on the top of a mountain will take a leap of faith and fling herself above the trees. Maybe. But, as one friend so eloquently reminded me, “Mission trips all are about getting out of your comfort zone.” So, don’t call me a hero. Just call me called. Youngest son delivered the message. All I am doing is saying yes.

If you want to follow our story, you can check out http://fbchinternationalchildcare.blogspot.com/ If I am able I will also be blogging here.